The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-26
Judge Ellett's Welcome Address to
President Cleveland.


has been assigned to me as the represen-
tative of the whole people of Memphis
applausel |, in their name and behalf to
extend to yourself and the distinguished
party by whom you are accompanied, a
/ most cordial and hearty ,welcome;l to
present TO you, not symbolically only,
but in the most practical and substan-
tial manner, the freedom of the city, and
to assure you of the great qualification
your presence affords. Our invitation,
sir, was not prompted by any mere mo-
tive of curiosity or love of display, but
was dictated by sincere desire to pay
to the chief magistrate OF the Union,
here, at our home, the respect and con-
sideration due to his high Office, and to
offer the tribute of our high regard and
esteem to the man who has been called
by the people to that exalted position,
and whose whole career furnishes so
bright an example for the imitation and
emulation of the youth of our American
Union. We felt, too, that we might
take some just pride in showing to you
our growing and enterprising city,
which, though not rivaling in splendor
and population and wealth the ancient
city from which it has derived its name,
or perhaps even some of the great cities
of our land which you have recently
visited, is nevertheless not destitute of
objects of interest and attraction.
Memphis is built on one of those
peculiar formations known as the Chick
asaw bluff, and it stands almost in sight
of the very spot where, $50 years ago,
the eye cf civilized man first rested upon
the waters of yonder mighty river. Ap-
plause Situated near the northern
boundary line of the great cotton belt,
surrounded by territory OF unsurpass-
ed fertility and unbounded resources,
and being, as it is, practically at the
head of navigation during considera-
BILE portion of the year, it bids fair soon
to become the largest cotton market OF
the South. Applause. Time will not
permit me to speak of the marvellous re-
cuperation of our city from the terrible
calamity that fell upon it few years
ago, or of its subsequent growth; of the
extension of its railway system; OF the
multiplication of its manufactures; of
its fine buildings; Of its increase in
every department of industry; or of
it's admirable form of municipal govern
ment. 1t is enough to say that with all
it's natural advantages of situation; ;
with it's facilities of intercOmmunica-
ton with all the ports of the country;
with its fine, mild and genial climate,
and the enterprise of its citizens, Mem
phis is sure of bright career of pros
perity, and will soon become an import.
ant center of wealth, and business, and
population.
Mr.. President, you have recently par
ticipated in the Tooth anniversary OF
the formation Of the constitution OF the
United States, and you have beheld the
multitudes, of our fellow-countrymen
fiocking together from the neighboring
States to the spot where that grandest
monument of human wisdom was Tor
mulated and renewing their bows OF fealty
at its shrine 1t may not be inapproprl-
ate for me to say that the Southern
heart was in sympathy with that inter
esting occasion. Applause. Nowhere
in ali this land will you find more loyal
ty to the constitution of the United
States, and to the government created
by it, than among the people OF the
Southern States. Applause. Differ
ences of opinion about its construction
and its true theory existed from Its very
creation, and controversy has often been
angry and bitter. One great and i'm
portanJ interest, in the progress OF
things, became sectionalized, and out OF
it arose questions of constitutional IN
depreciation which were regarded by the
Southern people as so vital 60 tnelr
rights and interests that they eventually
committed their solution to the arbltra-
ment of arms; but, Mr.. President, they
have bowed to the stern logic OF events,
and without any abatement OF their
manhood, or any compromise of their
honor, they have frankly accepted the
result of that struggle as a hnal settle
mint of all the questions in dispute
[applausel !, and they have since laDored
with rare courage, and fortltude, sno
cheerfulness, to accommodate theh-
selves to the circumstances OF their new
condition, to reconstruct their broken
fortunes, and contribute all they can to
the general welfare and prosperity OF
the country. Applause.1 AS one re-
suit of this struggle, the theory OF the
right of State to withdraw from the
federal compact was overthrown, ana
the indestructibility of the American
Union has been established on the tlrmer
foundation. The chief element OF dis
cord has been removed forever, ana
hereafter, when any abuses or grew
ances shall arise from the operations OF
| the federal government, remedy Is to be
sought within the pale OF the Union,
| and under the form of established law.
We have come to realize that Ameri'
can liberty, the highest form OF human
freedom, can only be fully enjoyed In
the American Union and under the
American constitution. Applause.
Indeed, it may be said, the sentiment
expressed by Mr.. Webster on a memora
BILE occasion has become imbedded In
the constitutional law OF America
Liberty and union, now and forever
one and inseparable." Applause
| 1t has seemed to me to be proper, Mr
President, that, as the President of these
United States, you should hear these
sentiments expressed, here, in the heart
of the Southern States, in the presence
of this concourse of Southern people
lTApplause. There is no one in all this
vast multitude who will repudiate OF
gainsay them. Indeed, we have come
to feel that this Union is our Union
TapplauseI that its bright and starry
banner, under which these veterans of
the Mexican war [applause once
marched to glory, is our banner; that
its chief magistrate is our President
and that its destiny, for veal or fol
woe, is the common destiny OF us all
I[Applause. |
There is one Distinguishing feature ol
this occasion which invests it with pc
culiar interest. Heretofore the presi
Dental progresses have been usually oi
a political character, and they have
been without the great charm which
the presence of women affords them. In
these respects the present, occasion Ii
Exceptional We all rejoice that yor
are accompanied here by Mrs. Cleveland
ITApplause She is here as our invited
guest, and we are glad of the oppertuni
ty to lay at her feet our tribute of hom
age and admiration. Applause.] Tt
her fair countrywomen her presence Ii
especially gratifying. They are proue
to have such a representative OF thell
II sex as the presiding spirit of the execu
tive mansion and as the head of societ,
at the national capital. Applause.
They are proud to know that in the dis
charge of all her duties she constantly
wins golden opinions from all sorts o
people. Applause.1 | beg you, Mr.
President, in the name and In the be
half of the ladies of Memphis, to psesen
| to her their cordial and respectful salu
tation, and to assure her of the grea
pleasure which it gives them to receiv